For the few of us that love the M42 and it's potential. Which would you rather do? I've made up my mind on my own build, just curious as to everyone's thoughts and results of your own projects.
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cost of stroking m42 to 200bhp - $$$$
cost of boosting m42 to 200bhp - $
so i picked boost.
Interested in the plans for your build though. -
Plans are to finally start work on the motor once I'm back from school. I've been spending most of my time and money on suspension recently. I'm debating now low boost and keep it mostly stock or wait and do a proper rebuild and see how far I can take itComment
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+1Originally posted by MF DOOM View Post
I am not even going to say what the cost was of my Metric Mechanic 2.1L M42 (supposed to make 205bhp). For the money, I could have run a 6-10PSI system with a legit stand-alone (Motec, Haltech, etc) and a full dyno tune as well as a general refresh of the internals that would make ~250bhp, and still have plenty of cash left for hookers and the finest of blow. Or maybe the finest of hookers and some blow. Not quite enough for the finest of both at the same time, unless I only ate ramen for a few months...
Anyway, was it worth it? Yes, definitely. Numerous friends that have ridden in it and driven it all have commented that "it just KEEPS pulling" and that the car feels ridiculously well balanced with the power curve that the engine makes. So, that there is one advantage that you generally find with a built NA engine. Make no mistake though, a well done boosted setup can be just as good, or better if you size the turbo parts properly. Sure there's lag, but since nobody in their right mind expects much from an M42 under 2000RPM anyway, you can shoot for low boost with a small-medium sized turbo and be making boost by then at WOT.
If you are a student, my sincere advice (in hindsight) is to use the engine money to pay down loans if you have them. It just makes it that much easier to afford engine builds later when you are working and NOT paying so much loan interest. I blew most of my money on suspension when I was in college and it was actually totally worth it...so enjoy my contradictory advice. I only regretted it a little bit after college haha. At autoX events I was taking down my friends in modded E36's and E46's and I know it irked them lol (this was back when E46's were brand new). The engine, to do it properly, is a MAJOR investment either NA or FI, but potentially less so with FI. If the engine is in good shape, you can probably run 5-6PSI on stock internals if you get a proper custom tune on a dyno. The stock AFM is good for ~225bhp, and you will need to look into 24# injectors (I have recommendations if you get that far).Comment
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I'm planning on getting another healthy M42 to slowly rebuild over time. I want to proper do a build rather than throwing on a turbo and waiting to blow the motor. My 91 318IS has 127K on and it's a one owner car (My dad's originally) so is in great shape. I need about $600 for the manifold,downpipe and tune (42lb Injectors). I plan to Autox and drift (If I ever make any power) the car. I'm in love with the weight distribution of the car compared to a M20 or S50 which is why I want to boost the M42. It's an underrated platform and shows good results.Comment
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Also you might enjoy this thread from SwedenComment
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I suggest you really figure out what you want to do with it as autocross and drifting are two very different events. Narrow it down to one purpose, as you won't be able to anything useful/fulfilling with a compromise car. Better yet, keep the M42 as a DD or fun weekender and get a really competitive/already built car for whatever event you want to do.
If you want to seriously auto-x you will probably not be competitive (in SCCA) with a lightly modified E30 of any kind and have even less of a chance in a heavily modified E30. If going this route I would suggest a 4.44 diff, good tires and decent suspension for maximum entertainment, lowest outlay and most fun.
As far as drifting, you will probably end up with a damaged car. So if you like the car at all, or it has nostalgic value, just don't do it. Further, as Tsuchiya-san has proved time and time again, you don't need power to drift (at least for personal enjoyment).
Enjoy the turbo build if you do go that route!Comment
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I went turbo. Initial outlay was really small for parts and such, but over time I've upgraded and redesigned parts of the setup so the price has gone up some. I'm still less than a third of the cost of an MM engine, though I also don't have most of the fantastic redesign features that that engine has. 60k miles with the turbo now, on a stock, unrebuilt bottom end but a fresh HG and studs at 7.5 psi. 270k on the bottom end. It's a hell of a fun car to drive, especially for what it is.Comment
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